Man convicted in Springfield police officers’ slaying paroled

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — A man convicted of second-degree murder in the slayings of two Springfield police officers in 1985 is getting out of prison.

The state Parole Board in a decision released Tuesday granted parole to 50-year-old Juan Ortiz. Ortiz will spend 18 months at a low-security facility before being freed. Upon release, he will be allowed to move to Chicago, where he has family.

The president of the Springfield police union tells The Republican newspaper he is “disappointed” and “surprised” by the decision.

Ortiz appeared before the parole board in September to make his case. He said he was genuinely remorseful and pointed out that it was actually his brother, Eduardo Ortiz, who fatally shot officers Alain Beauregard and Michael Schiavina.